The Ouachita Mountains are some of the best deer country in Arkansas. Thick pine forests, rocky ridges, and quiet creek bottoms surround Hot Springs on every side. For many local families, deer season is a tradition that gets passed down from one generation to the next.
The 2026-27 season is already here. Archery season runs from September 26, 2026, to February 28, 2027. Muzzleloader (alternative firearms) season opens October 17, and modern gun season opens November 14 in the zones around the Ouachitas. Exact dates vary by zone, so check the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission before you go.
Getting to your stand is half the battle in these mountains. At Chris Crain Dodge Jeep Ram in Hot Springs, we want to help you get there safely. Here is what to look for in a hunting vehicle, and which 2027 models we think best fit Ouachita hunters.
What Ouachita Deer Hunters Need in a Vehicle
Hunting in the mountains is different from hunting in the flatlands. Forest roads are steep, rocky, and full of loose gravel. A quick rain can turn a dirt road into a slick mess. Here is what your hunting rig should have:
Four-wheel drive with low range. Low gearing gives you control on steep climbs and slow descents.
Ground clearance. Rocks and deep ruts can damage the underside of a low vehicle.
A place to haul your deer. A truck bed makes it easy to bring home a buck without making a mess inside the truck.
Towing power. Many hunters pull an ATV or side-by-side to reach remote stands.
Good tires. All-terrain tires grip better on rocks and mud.
Keeping your vehicle in top shape is just as important as picking the right one. Our guide on how often you should service your Dodge, Jeep, or Ram explains what to check and when.
2027 Ram 1500: Comfort on the Highway, Grit in the Woods
The 2027 Ram 1500 is a top choice for hunters who drive to the woods and back every weekend. It rides smoothly on Highway 7, then handles forest roads with ease.
The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo engine gives you strong power for climbing hills. When properly equipped, it can tow up to about 11,530 pounds. That is plenty for an ATV trailer, a side-by-side, or a camper for deer camp.
New features for 2027 make hunting trips even easier:
Available 360-degree camera on more trims, including Laramie and Rebel. It helps you spot stumps and rocks when backing into a tight spot.
Available 2 kW onboard power with two 120V outlets in the bed on Pentastar V6 models. Charge batteries, run lights, or power tools at camp.
Popular Equipment Group with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Want to see what's on the lot? Browse our Ram 1500 inventory in Hot Springs.
2027 Ram 2500: The Deer Camp Workhorse
If you run a deer camp, haul a big side-by-side, or pull a travel trailer into the mountains, the 2027 Ram 2500 is ready for the job.
The 6.4L HEMI V8 makes 410 horsepower. The available 6.7L Cummins High-Output turbo diesel makes 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. That torque makes long, steep grades feel easy, even with a heavy load behind you.
Here is what's new for 2027:
The Payload Upgrade Package on most HEMI models boosts payload capacity to up to 4,580 pounds.
Power Wagon with a Cummins diesel for the first time. It has locking front and rear differentials, 34-inch tires, and a 31-gallon tank good for about 600 miles. That means fewer trips to the gas station during a long hunting weekend.
Standalone Warn winch available on HEMI Rebel and Power Wagon models. A winch can pull you or a buddy out of a muddy ditch or help drag a fallen tree off the trail.
See our current Ram 2500 inventory in Hot Springs. If you use your truck for work too, check out our commercial vehicles.
2027 Jeep Wrangler: Made for Mountain Trails
The Ouachitas are full of old logging roads and rocky trails. Few vehicles handle them better than the 2027 Jeep Wrangler. Every Wrangler comes with four-wheel drive, and its short size lets it squeeze down narrow paths where a full-size truck won't fit.
The Rubicon is the trail king. It has front and rear locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar. Those features keep the tires gripping when the trail gets rough. If you want more power, the Willys 392 and Moab 392 use a 6.4L HEMI V8 with 470 horsepower.
For 2027, Jeep added features that help on cold mornings:
Sahara now has heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring, and an off-road camera.
Rubicon adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and navigation.
Sport, Sport S, and Willys get proximity keyless entry so that you can unlock the doors with gloves on.
The Wrangler can tow up to 3,500 pounds on select trims, which is enough for a small ATV trailer. Browse our Jeep Wrangler inventory, and learn how Uconnect keeps you connected on back roads.
2026 Jeep Gladiator: Trail Skills Plus a Truck Bed
The 2026 Jeep Gladiator is the perfect mix for deer hunters. It has the off-road skills of a Wrangler, plus a five-foot pickup bed for your deer, stand, and gear.
The Gladiator uses a 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 285 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 7,700 pounds and carry up to 1,720 pounds of payload. It has up to 11.6 inches of ground clearance and can cross water up to 31.5 inches deep, so rocky trails and swollen creeks are less of a worry.
The Gladiator comes in Sport, Sport S, Willys, Mojave, and Rubicon trims. The Rubicon offers a crawl ratio of up to 77:1, which gives you slow, steady control on steep, rocky climbs. New for 2026, an improved door hinge design makes it quicker to pull the doors off for warm early-season hunts. Sport S buyers can also add aggressive all-terrain tires for better grip on gravel and mud.
Check out our 2026 Jeep Gladiator inventory in Hot Springs to find the right one for your hunting trips.
Get Your Truck or Jeep Ready for Opening Day
A breakdown on a remote forest road is no fun. A little prep before modern gun season can save your hunt.
Check your tires. Look at tread depth and air pressure. Cold weather lowers tire pressure.
Test your battery. Frosty mornings are hard on old batteries.
Inspect your brakes. Steep mountain roads put extra strain on them.
Change your oil and top off fluids. Towing and hill climbing make your engine work harder.
Add the right gear. Bed liners, tie-downs, and hitch accessories make hauling a deer or ATV easier.
You can find bed liners, hitches, and more at our Mopar parts and accessories department. When you're ready for a checkup, schedule service online.
Find Your Hunting Rig at Chris Crain Dodge Jeep Ram in Hot Springs
The right vehicle gets you deeper into the Ouachitas and home safely with your deer. Choose the Ram 1500 for an all-around truck, the Ram 2500 for heavy loads, the Wrangler for tight trails, or the Gladiator for Jeep skills with a bed.
See why so many hunters call us Hot Springs' trusted local dealership. Browse our new inventory, get pre-approved, and stop by for a test drive before opening day.
